Quick answers
- A cubic yard of crushed gravel weighs about 2,800 lb (1.4 tons). One ton is about 0.71 cubic yards.
- A cubic yard of topsoil weighs about 2,000 lb (1 ton) when dry, and more when wet.
- A cubic yard of sand weighs about 2,500 to 2,800 lb.
- A cubic yard of wood mulch weighs about 600 lb, often 400 to 800 lb depending on moisture.
Weight and coverage by material
Tons are US short tons of 2,000 lb. Coverage is the area one ton covers at that depth, before any extra for waste or compaction.
Gravel and stone
| Material | lb per yd³ | Tons per yd³ | Yd³ per ton | 1 ton covers at 2" | at 3" | at 4" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone 3/4" | 2,800 | 1.40 | 0.71 | 116 | 77 | 58 |
| #57 stone | 3,000 | 1.50 | 0.67 | 108 | 72 | 54 |
| Pea gravel | 2,600 | 1.30 | 0.77 | 125 | 83 | 62 |
| Crusher run / road base | 2,900 | 1.45 | 0.69 | 112 | 74 | 56 |
| River rock | 2,700 | 1.35 | 0.74 | 120 | 80 | 60 |
| Decomposed granite | 2,800 | 1.40 | 0.71 | 116 | 77 | 58 |
| Lava rock | 1,000 | 0.50 | 2.00 | 324 | 216 | 162 |
Sand
| Material | lb per yd³ | Tons per yd³ | Yd³ per ton | 1 ton covers at 2" | at 3" | at 4" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete or paver sand | 2,700 | 1.35 | 0.74 | 120 | 80 | 60 |
| Mason sand | 2,600 | 1.30 | 0.77 | 125 | 83 | 62 |
| Play sand | 2,500 | 1.25 | 0.80 | 130 | 86 | 65 |
| Fill sand | 2,800 | 1.40 | 0.71 | 116 | 77 | 58 |
Soil and dirt
| Material | lb per yd³ | Tons per yd³ | Yd³ per ton | 1 ton covers at 2" | at 3" | at 4" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screened topsoil | 2,000 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 162 | 108 | 81 |
| Garden soil or compost blend | 1,700 | 0.85 | 1.18 | 191 | 127 | 95 |
| Raised bed mix | 1,400 | 0.70 | 1.43 | 231 | 154 | 116 |
| Fill dirt, dry | 2,000 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 162 | 108 | 81 |
| Fill dirt, moist | 2,200 | 1.10 | 0.91 | 147 | 98 | 74 |
| Clay or wet fill | 2,600 | 1.30 | 0.77 | 125 | 83 | 62 |
Paving and mulch
| Material | lb per yd³ | Tons per yd³ | Yd³ per ton | 1 ton covers at 2" | at 3" | at 4" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot mix asphalt, compacted | 3,915 | 1.96 | 0.51 | 83 | 55 | 41 |
| Asphalt millings, compacted | 2,800 | 1.40 | 0.71 | 116 | 77 | 58 |
| Concrete | 4,000 | 2.00 | 0.50 | 81 | 54 | 40 |
| Wood mulch | 600 | 0.30 | 3.33 | 540 | 360 | 270 |
Why weights vary
Moisture is the biggest factor. Wet sand or soil can weigh 10 to 20% more than dry, and a load that sat in the rain is heavier than the chart. Stone size matters less, but mixed material with fines (crusher run) packs denser than single-size stone. Ask your supplier for their figure if you are close to a weight limit.
Will it fit in my truck?
Check the payload on the door sticker, not the bed size. A half-ton pickup usually carries about 1,000 to 1,500 lb, which is barely half a yard of gravel even though a full yard fits in the bed. Mulch is light enough that bed volume is the limit instead.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of gravel weigh?
About 2,800 lb (1.4 tons) for 3/4 inch crushed stone, about 2,600 lb for pea gravel and about 3,000 lb for #57 stone.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
About 0.71 cubic yards of crushed stone per ton, or 0.77 cubic yards of pea gravel.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
About 2,000 lb dry. Wet topsoil can weigh 2,200 lb or more.
How much does a yard of mulch weigh?
About 600 lb on average, ranging from roughly 400 lb dry to 800 lb wet.
Calculators for this
Gravel Calculator
Tons, yards and bags by stone type.
Asphalt Calculator
Tons of hot mix for driveways and lots.
Mulch Calculator
Yards and bags for beds and trees.
Topsoil Calculator
Soil for lawns, beds and fill.
Dirt Calculator
Fill dirt in yards, tons and truckloads.
Landscape Rock Calculator
River rock, lava rock and DG in tons.
Sand Calculator
Paver, mason, play and fill sand.